An interview with UFC's Jim Miller

Around the Arc is taking a (brief, very brief) break from basketball. (It is the off-season after all. Although in today's NBA there really is no off-season).

The topic? UFC.

In advance of his five-round Lightweight bout against Donald Cerrone at Revel in Atlantic City on July 16, I sat down with UFC fighter and New Jersey native Jim Miller to discuss the development of his career and his expectations for his upcoming fight.

Check out the full interview at Philly.com, and check out some of the questions after the jump.

How did you become interested in UFC?

“I grew up wrestling. I was always into combat sports. I have two older brothers, so we were always wrestling around and beating each other up, or I should say I was getting beat up by them. In 1998 I saw my first tape of one of the UFCs and kind of fell in love with it. I was still a fan later on in college and stuff, and finally just decided to give Brazilian jujitsu a try, and one thing led to another and six months later I had my first fight.”

What role did your older brother, Dan, play in your early interest and involvement with UFC?

“We started at exactly the same time. We started training together. One of the coolest things I’ve done so far in my career is signed my first UFC contract with him sitting next to me signing his. We knew that if we kept doing what we were doing we would make it one day, but we never thought that it would be at the same time.”

“I’m there in his corner. I have only missed one of his fights. We’ve also fought on the same card a couple times too.”

Describe how the community you grew up in in New Jersey played a role in your development as a UFC fighter.

“The county that I grew up in is a big wrestling county. Guys that have grown up wrestling there have gone on to win States, and some have gone on to win Nationals at the college level. So there was always that potential. Not everybody that comes from a wrestling background is interested in MMA, but there is definitely a sort of connection. There’s that potential there. Jersey itself has always been, in my opinion, one of the better states to make your way in as a fighter, because they have had an athletic commission for so long, and have been doing it right for so long.”

Image from bjpenn.com 

How many fights have you had in Atlantic City, the site of your fight against Donald Cerrone on July 16^th?   

“I’ve had 11 fights in Atlantic City. 11 of my first 12 fights were in A.C., but not one recently. Actually, not one since I signed with UFC. This will be the first one there with UFC.”

What is it like to fight in Atlantic City compared to other places?

“The crowd that comes into Atlantic City is always a good crowd. There have been shows there for quite some time, and there just seems to be a loyal following. Good turnouts, and they’re very into it. They know the sport, so that’s always good.”

What is it like to be able to fight in your home state?

“To me, once it comes down to fight night, it doesn’t matter where I am. The cool thing about fighting close to home though is that more of my training partners and stuff can come there and be part of it. That’s the added benefit for me. It is always nice fighting and being able to put on a show for my local fans.”

I saw recently that you are rated 7^th in your class in UFC heading into the fight in Atlantic City, how much stock do you put in numbers like that?

“The rankings are subjective. You can’t put that much weight into it because really when it comes down to title opportunities the numerical order doesn’t necessarily matter. It’s nice to see the respect and get the appreciation for what I’ve done in the sport. So, it’s cool, but I don’t really put too much weight into it.”

You’re coming off a couple wins in your last few fights. What affect does that have on your mindset and approach, if any?

“For me, I don’t really care. Every fight is different, every opponent is different. Really, it doesn’t matter what happened in the past. I have to focus on July 16^th, and as it gets closer to that day I have to make sure that that’s going to be a good night for me. Sometimes things are out of your control, and it’s not, but that’s what I try to do. I try to just worry about that. Whatever happened the last fight, I’m never completed satisfied, but I’m always trying to improve. So, it really doesn’t matter. I’m not trying to get caught up in the hype of win streaks, or anything like that.”

What do you expect from your opponent, Donald Cerrone in your upcoming fight?

“I expect a tough fight. He’s a very dangerous opponent. I’m going to have to be on my A-game. I’m just looking for a tough fight, and I’m expecting him to be at his best, and the best that I’ve ever faced. If, and when, he doesn’t live up to the standards that I set for him, I’m going to capitalize and put him away.”